158240 Individual- and community-level factors affecting multiple sex partners in Zambia: Perceptions, norms and behaviors

Monday, November 5, 2007

Mai Do, DrPH , International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Dominique Meekers, PhD , Dept. of International Health and Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Paul Hutchinson, PhD , International Health and Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Background: This study employs baseline survey data for the Health Communication Partnership in Zambia to examine how perceptions and norms of individuals and community leaders on issues related to sexual behaviors may influence the number of sex partners.

Methods: Data came from the 2005 Zambia Health Communication Surveys, which include household and community surveys. Two-level multivariate analysis is conducted to examine effects of individuals' and community leaders' perceptions and norms related to sexual behaviors on individuals' having multiple sex partners in the last 12 months.

Results: 11% of the sample (19% of men; 4% of women) had more than one partner in the last 12 months. Preliminary analyses show that the following individual-level factors affect the probability of having multiple partners among men: perceived risk of HIV infection (OR=3.16; p<.001), awareness that faithfulness can prevent AIDS (OR=.68; p<.01), and perceptions of others' approval of monogamy (OR=.86; p<.05). Community leaders' perception of stronger community cohesion also affects the probability that the respondent has multiple partners (OR=.70; p<.01). Among women, only perceived risk of HIV infection affects the probability of having multiple partners (OR=5.26; p<.001).

Discussions: Findings of the baseline surveys suggest interventions should promote HIV/AIDS awareness and norms related to sexual behaviors at the individual level, as well as aim to strengthen community cohesion and problem solving capacity.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of my presentation, participants will be able to: 1) understand how individuals’ and community leaders’ perceptions and norms related to sexual behaviors may influence risky behaviors in Zambia, and 2) discuss implications for community-based interventions to reduce risky behaviors.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: HIV/AIDS Prevalence, Risk Behaviors, Antiretroviral Therapy Issues, and Treatment/Prevention Options in East and Southern Africa
See more of: HIV/AIDS